Twitter simplifies process for verifying accounts

Twitter has announced it created an online application process for Twitter accounts to receive verified status. Verified accounts on Twitter allow people to identify key individuals and organizations on Twitter as authentic, and are denoted by a blue badge icon.

An account may be verified if it is determined to be of public interest. Typically this includes accounts maintained by public figures and organizations in music, TV, film, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, business, and other key interest areas.

“We want to make it even easier for people to find creators and influencers on Twitter so it makes sense for us to let people apply for verification,” said Tina Bhatnagar, Twitter’s vice president of User Services.

“We hope opening up this application process results in more people finding great, high-quality accounts to follow, and for these creators and influencers to connect with a broader audience.” She added

Twitter lets you connect with people anywhere in the world with live conversation and news.

Twitter was the first platform to introduce account verification, starting in 2009 and currently has close to over 187,000 verified accounts. The accounts being verified are notable users in music, TV, film, fashion, government, politics, religion, media, sports and business.

The top 10 most followed accounts are on Twitter are Katy Perry with over 90m, Justin Bieber at 84m, Taylor Swift 79m, Barack Obama 76m, Rihanna 63m and YouTube at 63m. Others are:Lady Gaga 61m, Ellen DeGeneres 60m and Twitter and Justin Timberlake tying at 55m.